Clasp



Jan. 31, 1933. H WACHENHElMER 1,895,952

CLASP Filed Jun@ 11, 1931 Patented Jan. 31, 1933 UNITED STATES HARRYWACHENHEIIER, F PBDVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND CLASP Application led June 11,

The present invention relates toa clasp or clas -c-onnector and,although primarily inten ed as a connector for the free ends of a string`of pearls or other stones or gems, is

suitable as a connector for the free ends of other necklaces, bracelets,and similar articles of jewelry for personal wear.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a clasp of novelconstruction in which l the use of solder is eliminated and in whichauxiliary springs are obviated.v

Another object of the invention is to produce a clasp which is simple inconstruction and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is composed of aminimum number of parts.

A further object of the invention is generally to improve theconstruction of a claspconnector.

To these ends the invention consists of the novel construction andarrangement of parts hereinafter described and more particularly setforth in the claims. In describing the invention in detail referencewill be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing the clasp connected to the rings at the freeends of a necklace, such asa string of pearls ;-y

Fig. 2 is a side view of the clasp, partly in elevation and partly insection;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the clasp illustrating thepivotal connection;

Fi 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 of a modified orm;

Fig. 5 is a view of the blank from which one part of the connector isformed.

A necklace, such as a string of pearls, usually has at its free endsrings like those designated by the reference character 10, in Fig. 1.According to the present invention these rings are connected by theclasp 11, shown more clearly in Fig. 2, whereby either one or both ringsof the necklace may be released from the clasp at either one or at bothends thereof.

Said clasp 11 comprises a channel member having spaced side walls 12, 13and a bottom wall 14 which projects at ends 15, 15 longitudinally beyondthe ends of the side walls. Said projections 15, 15 have up-turned lips5,0 16, 16 at the free ends thereof. This channel 1931. serial No.543,662.

member isformed from the sheet metal blank shown in Fig. 5 in `which12a13'a designates the portions which form the side walls 12 and 13, andin which`1'4a designates the part from which the bottom wall 14 isformed, the parts 55 12a and vlajbeing bentupwardly above the dottedlines to the position shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. Theparts 12aand 13a have aligned apertures 19 within which pintles or pivot pins aremounted' as will presently appear. e

Saidclasp also comprises closure members 17 17 Vwhich are pivotallymounted Vin said channel member between the side walls 12 and 13. Asshown in Fig. 3, the closure mem 65' bers have pivot pins- 18, 18 whicharemount-A ed in pairs of aligned apertures 19, 19 in theside walls ofthe channel member. As shown in Fig; 4, the pivotal connections betweenthe members 17, 17 are constituted by separate 70 pintles: 20 which areseated in said apertures 19, 19 and on` which the ends of the members17., 17 are pivotally mounted. The closure members l17, 17 'haveforwardly projecting portions extending over the bottom wall 14 beyondtheends of the side walls 12, 13 of the channel member and are spacedfrom the bottom wall of said channel member whereby therings 10 can bepositionedand releasably secured between said'bottom wall? and theforwardly projecting portions of the closure members. Said members 17',17 have downturned lips 21, 21A which engagethe lips 16,16 inoverlappingrelation, said-engagement consisting of a tight slidingfit afforded bythe construction shown and bythe resiliency of the metal'so that theseparts, althoughreadily releasable when desired, are normally in:comparatively secure engagementi whereby to prevent accidentalunfastening of the clasp. The lips 211,` 21 are provided with smallknobs22, 22 which facilitate moving the closure members 17, 17,toopen-position. To provide for adjusting the length of a necklace',bracelet, or similar ar-y ticle, the clasp is provided with transverseribs 23, 23 extending across the bottom projections 15, 15 about halfway between the free ends of the latter and thejends ofthe side walls,forming two ring fastening positions 24. and 25 at each end' of theclasp. Preferably, as shown, the closure members 17, 17 have similarribs 26, 26 which overlie the ribs 23, 23, and cooperate with the latterto retain the rings 10 in position. The closure members 17 may beprovided with cavities which may receive gemsor other ornamentation `andthe clasp may be enamelled and otherwise ornamented as desired. Theseveral parts of the clasp may be struck from sheet metal and bent intoform or can be struck out into shape by suitable dies as will be obviousto those skilled in the art.` I therefore reserve the right to all suchchanges in the arrangement, assembly, con# structiony and ornamentationas will readily occur' to those skilled in the art, and I do not wish tobe limited to the embodiment illustrated except as required by theappended claims and the prior art.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent ofthe United States is: Y

1. A clasp comprising a channel member having a pair ofspaced side wallsand a bottom member projecting beyond both ends of said side walls, thefree ends of Said bottom member having upwardly projecting portions,and' two closure members pivotally 'mounted in said channel memberbetween said side walls, the ends of said side Walls terminatingsubstantially at the points of pivotal connection of said closuremembers, one of said closure members having a portion projecting beyondone endof said side walls over the bottommember, and the other elosuremember having a portion projecting bevond the other end of saidsidewalls over the bottom member, the free ends of said closure membershaving downwardly projecting-portions releasably engaging said upwardlyprojecting portions with a tight sliding iit, said. portions of theclosure members projectingbeyond the side walls of the channelmemberbeing spaced from the bottom member whereby rings or the like can bepositioned and releasably secured between said bottom and closuremembers.

2. A clasp comprisingr a channel member having a pair of spaced sidewalls and a bottom which projects beyond said side walls longitudinallythereof, said side walls having aligned apertures, and a closure memberhaving lateral pivot pins mounted in said apertures for pivotallyconnecting said clotom which projects beyond said side wallslongitudinally thereof, said side walls having aligned apertures, and aclosure member having lateral pivot pins mounted in said apertures forplvotally connecting said closure member in said channel member, and alip on Said closure member releasably engaging the projecting end' ofthe bottom of said channel with a tight sliding tit, said projectingportion of said bottom having a transverse rib positioned between theend of said projection and the adjacent ends of said side walls, andsaid closure member having a transverse rib overlying the rib on saidbottom member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afHX my signature.

HARRY IVACHENHEIMER.

sure member in said channel member, and

a lip on said closure member releasably engaging the projecting end ofthe bottom of said channel with a tight sliding fit, said projectingportion of said bottom having a transverse rib positioned between theend of said projection and the adjacent ends of said side walls.

3. A clasp comprising a channel member having a pair of spaced sidewalls .and a bot-

